1st Advantage Mortgage23% of Metcalfe County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $51,473 (ACS 2020-24). Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Metcalfe County offer.
On this page
- Population and place: Metcalfe County
- The $51,473 median and what sits around it
- Where Metcalfe County differs from the rest of Kentucky
- Housing costs in Metcalfe County
- The Metcalfe County job picture
- The counties around Metcalfe County
- The communities that make up Metcalfe County
- Debt-to-income at Metcalfe County's medians
- Metcalfe County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Metcalfe County data as a borrower
- Steps before you apply in Metcalfe County
- Lender oversight for Metcalfe County
- Beyond Metcalfe County
- Frequently asked questions
Population and place: Metcalfe County
Metcalfe County is home to about 10,425 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 98th most populous of 120 county-level areas in Kentucky. Spread over 290 square miles, that works out to roughly 36.0 residents per square mile. Metro status: none; Metcalfe County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. Edmonton (2,330 people) heads the county's list of 2 Census places, 1 incorporated and 1 census-designated.
The $51,473 median and what sits around it
Metcalfe County households have a median income of $51,473 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 78th of 120 in Kentucky.
| Income band | Share in Metcalfe County | Difference from Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 39.1% | +11.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.9% | -4.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.5% | -1.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.6% | -5.6 pts |
Some 39% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 23% have six-figure incomes. Metcalfe County counts about 2,868 residents below the poverty line, 27.5% of the population. For a borrower in Metcalfe County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Where Metcalfe County differs from the rest of Kentucky
- Metcalfe County ranks 10th lowest of 120 Kentucky counties for median gross rent: $582/mo, against $967/mo statewide. Lower rent can leave more room for a payment.
- On the poverty rate, Metcalfe County sits near the top of Kentucky at 27.5%, 12th highest of 120. Free help, such as utility and rent assistance, should come before any loan.
- On median home value, Metcalfe County sits near the bottom of Kentucky at $110,200, 19th lowest of 120. With modest home values, equity borrowing is rarely large.
- Metcalfe County ranks 18th lowest of 120 Kentucky counties for the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 10%, against 13% statewide. Less driving means fewer surprise repair bills.
Housing costs in Metcalfe County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $582 in Metcalfe County versus $967 statewide. About 4 in 10 Metcalfe County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $110,200, about 2.1 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 78%. Nationally, Metcalfe County's $582 rent is 34% below the middle county.
| Measure | Metcalfe County | Kentucky | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 29.0% | 10.7% | +18.3 pts |
| Owners | 78% | 68% | +9.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 23% | -6.8 pts |
| Median home value | $110,200 | $205,600 | 46% lower |
| Median gross rent | $582/mo | $967/mo | 40% lower |
| Vacant units | 13% | 10% | +3.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 45% | -1.6 pts |
Because most Metcalfe County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
The Metcalfe County job picture
The biggest employer of Metcalfe County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by manufacturing (21%). Compared with Kentucky, the county leans toward construction (14% against 6%). The survey's unemployment rate for Metcalfe County averages 4.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 10%; under 15 minutes: 21%.
| Industry | Share of Metcalfe County workers | vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.6% | +0.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 21.3% | +7.0 pts |
| Construction | 13.9% | +7.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.1% | -2.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.8% | -0.1 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.1% | +0.4 pts |
Self-employed in Metcalfe County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
The counties around Metcalfe County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Metcalfe County's, from 17 to 26 miles away. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Metcalfe County; Adair County is highest at $53,553 and Cumberland County lowest at $40,000.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metcalfe County | - | $51,473 | $582/mo | 78% |
| Barren County, KY | 17 mi | $50,628 | $796/mo | 65% |
| Monroe County, KY | 20 mi | $51,280 | $657/mo | 71% |
| Cumberland County, KY | 20 mi | $40,000 | $523/mo | 76% |
| Green County, KY | 20 mi | $46,798 | $610/mo | 78% |
| Adair County, KY | 21 mi | $53,553 | $771/mo | 77% |
| Hart County, KY | 26 mi | $52,285 | $693/mo | 72% |
The communities that make up Metcalfe County
The table lists the 2 largest of 2 Census places in Metcalfe County, by population. Together all 2 hold about 2,862 people, so roughly 73% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmonton | city | 2,330 | $51,272 | $625 | 1 mi |
| Summer Shade | CDP | 532 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
Debt-to-income at Metcalfe County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Metcalfe County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $4,289 gross per month ($51,473 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $582, takes 14% of that
- At 35%, room after rent is $919 a month
- $1,348: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Metcalfe County's.
Metcalfe County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 13% of the adult population. About 6% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Metcalfe County | Compared with Kentucky | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.0% | -14.6 pts | -9.2 pts |
| Poverty rate | 27.5% | +11.4 pts | +14.3 pts |
| Median age | 42.0 | +2.9 yrs | +0.5 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 13.3% | +2.2 pts | n/a |
| Work from home | 8.3% | -2.0 pts | -0.4 pts |
| No vehicle | 7.8% | +1.0 pts | +2.4 pts |
| No health insurance | 6.4% | +0.4 pts | -1.4 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 0.0 pts | +0.5 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 20.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 44.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.9% |
| 60+ min | 5.1% |
Reading the Metcalfe County data as a borrower
Metcalfe County-specific points to check:
- Mobile home upkeep. 29% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Before borrowing. At 27.5% poverty, Metcalfe County has local aid programs worth checking (options).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Steps before you apply in Metcalfe County
Quick steps for Metcalfe County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Kentucky license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Lender oversight for Metcalfe County
The Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Kentucky license. If a Metcalfe County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop.
Beyond Metcalfe County
The Kentucky guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Metcalfe County a high-income county?
Its $51,473 median ranks 78th of 120 Kentucky counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Can a Metcalfe County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $582 median rent and $4,289 median monthly income, rent alone uses 14%; add other debts before a new payment.
Can Metcalfe County owners borrow against a $110,200 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
Does this page cover Edmonton?
Yes, along with the other 1 Census place in Metcalfe County, such as Summer Shade.
Will a Metcalfe County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Kentucky as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.